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Internet Safety

Internet Safety

We take internet safety very seriously.

The ever changing world of technology is going to increase and enhance your children’s learning.

Benefits of the internet

• Educational games and programmes, research information, the opportunity to communicate with people from all around the world, the opportunity to share resources and ideas with people that have the same interests, shopping around the world without leaving your computer
Risks of using the internet
•          Concerns over ‘stranger danger’ on social networking sites and children accessing unsuitable or inappropriate adult content through the internet, people lying to others online or hiding their real identity/age/gender  in order to meet young people, bullying using the internet (Cyberbulling), seeing inappropriate images and material, viruses and pop ups

Important rules for the safe use of the internet

Know what your children are doing online

• Ask them to teach you to use any applications
• Keep the computer in a family room - this means you can keep more control of what they do (i.e. Webcams)
•  Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends - personal information includes:
  their messenger id
  email address
  mobile number and any pictures of themselves,
  If your child receives spam / junk email & texts, remind them never to believe them, reply to them or use them.

Social Networking Sites –

We are aware of an increasing number of children who are using social networking sites on the internet.  It is essential that if your children are using these sites you are monitoring their use closely.
 
 
Facebook

Facebook requires individuals to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account.   The Facebook help centre provides information about how to delete or report an account of children who are under the age of 13.  For this reason staff at Portishead Primary School will not add children who currently attend the school or children who have left the school.  We ask that you ensure that your children do not put staff in a difficult position by requesting them as friends on social networking sites.

Merlin
http://www.swgflmerlin.org.uk/

Merlin is a safe virtual Learning Platform as only staff,  parents and children throughout the school have access to it.  The discussions and information that is accessed through Merlin are closely monitored by all staff and class teachers.  The use of Merlin is being developed to increase collaborative learning opportunities both at school and at home by uploading information, photographs and documents that can be shared together.  It provides opportunities for parents and staff to work in partnership to share in the children’s learning but also to develop knowledge and understanding about the importance of safe internet use before they begin experimenting with the world wide web.

For further information or advice about safe internet use and/or Merlin please contact Mrs Harris (Foundation Stage and Key Stage One), Mrs Parry (Key Stage Two), Mrs Strachan or the class teacher.  If you would like a session after school to be arranged to support with any of this information then please let us know.
 
Here are some sites that children can use to show them how to keep safe when using the internet.

Useful website for children and parents to use

Think u know

www.thinkuknow.co.uk/cybercafe

Child Net

http://www.childnet-int.org/

Know it all

http://www.childnet-int.org/kia/

Hector's World

http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/hectorsworld/

The Smart Crew

http://www.childnet-int.org/kia/primary/smartadventure/default.aspx